WordPress Gutenberg Editor: What You Want to Know
WordPress 5.0 with Gutenberg
With WordPress 5.0, Gutenberg, the new block editor, is now introduced into the WordPress core. As with any major release, expect updates (5.01, 5.1, 5.1.1, 5.2, etc.) will roll out as bugs are identified and corrections are made.
WordPress’s Gutenberg is named after John Gutenberg, who in 1438 began experimenting with printing which led to the development of movable type (printing press) in 1450.
Gutenberg: The Block Editor Experience
On November 29th, Matt Mullenweg, the founding developer of WordPress, posted WordPress 5.0: A Gutenberg FAQ (interesting to read the comments too).
My POV
Now that Gutenberg has been released in the wild for some time, I am often asked what I think. First, I think it’s wise to embrace change.
All my sites are using Gutenberg. In particular, this site uses a theme, Kadence, that is updated for Gutenberg and has a homepage created entirely with blocks.
So what is Gutenberg, really?
Think blocks like in building blocks. Each part of your post — a paragraph, a headline, a bulleted list, an image — is an individual stand-alone block. Each will have its unique options sidebar to tweak to your liking.
There is a learning curve to get used to what is where. First, you have to get into the “block” mentality. Each part of your post is a block.
A note about the Classic Editor plugin: while that was great for those who didn’t want to jump on the Gutenberg bandwagon, that was a band-aid that now is best to rip off. WordPress has extended support into 2022, but how long is not guaranteed. Don’t wait until the last minute. Give yourself time to get used to Gutenberg and the wide-ranging potential block-enabled themes will offer you. You’ll most likely be pleasantly surprised. Embrace Gutenberg — the future is now.
Better or just different?
Better over the long haul. Gutenberg already has me thinking about creating custom blocks. Gutenberg now seems like a natural way to modify, create my sites and add content based on how I do things now. Like anything new, you get into a new rhythm.
As you write, you hit enter with Gutenberg — and an automatic new block is created. You’ll then see “Start writing or type /to choose a block.”
Plugins and Meta Boxes
Yoast SEO, as well as many other plugins, now include integration of their plugin into Gutenberg. Various Yoast-related blocks to choose from. Of course, the choice depends on if you are on the free or Pro version.
Yoast used to be located in meta boxes below the content editor. Now it has an area in the right sidebar in the editor.
As more plugins integrate with Gutenberg, you’ll see plugins adding icons in that top bar or a section in the right sidebar. For example, Ninja Forms is now in the right sidebar — that used to be above the editor. The sidebar tabs work like widgets do now; you click on them, and they open, displaying the options available to you.
Think Blocks
With Gutenberg, instead of just writing, you’ll now have the ability to think about structure, not just the words you are typing. Based on available options, you can further configure each block (paragraph, image, headline, quote, etc.).
There is also the option to choose from a bunch of built-in blocks. You can also create your blocks and save them as a “reusable block” added to your choices. I love the reusable block feature!
Will My Site Break with Gutenberg?
Probably not if you are on a Premium Theme. You want to make sure your theme is Gutenberg and block compatible. Anyone theme creator worth their salt has been on this path and updated any themes that exhibited issues.
Gutenberg is about editing and creating content, not how WordPress outputs content. Your theme will still handle that. Theme developers and plugin creators have been integrating Gutenberg into their themes and plugins for some time now.
If you are not sure about your theme, check now to be sure. If you do not get a straight answer, time to move to a premium theme that keeps up with technology, And in 2022 that means Full Site Editing (FSE) compatibility is coming in January.
Once you have 5.0.X, you can open any page or post to edit and become familiar with how Gutenberg works. (If you are not on WordPress 5.0.X, stop reading this article and take care of that first as none of this matters to you until you do.).
My Takeaways:
How it started; how it’s going.
There were pros and cons to Gutenberg and its introduction and implementation. I’ve been following the process for some time, including the disagreements and controversy. But those days are behind us.
In most cases, I understand both sides. But that was then, and this is now. Over time, I do not doubt that with community involvement and tweaks, Gutenberg — and FSE — is the future of WordPress.
Gutenberg Resources
Here are just a few so you can get informed and prepared:
Maybe because I’ve been at this for so long, I’m used to the fact that technology doesn’t sit still. Change is inevitable, like it or not. In this case, I like it, and I am having fun playing with all the new possibilities!
At your service,
